Match report - Guildford v Farnham. 7-38. 14th September 2024

Guildford Rugby Club

Match report - Guildford v Farnham. 7-38. 14th September 2024

Guildford v Farnham. 7-38. 14th September 2024

Team: 1 Paddy Wood 2 Jacob Jones 3 Luke Brookes 4 Harry Phillips 5 Matt Naeem 6 Ed Pasfield 7 Ollie Millward 8 Jordan Brodley 9 Ieuan Jones 10 Joe Gwyther 11 Tom Waddell 12 Tom Devereaux 13 Jonny Burden 14 Alex Jordan 15 Rob Voller (c)

Replacements: 16 Ben Meager 17 Ben Bushell 18 Charlie Gibbons

Photo credit: Penny Burden

The was an air of expectation around Broadwater early on Saturday afternoon. For the first home game of the season the sun was shining and a healthy crowd had gathered from both sides. Around 30 supporters had enjoyed the first President’s lunch of the season looking forward to Guildford building on the strong performances at the end of last season. By the end of the afternoon the mood had swung to one of disappointment and concern for what the rest of the season has in store.

With 8 changes to the matchday squad from Andover last time out, there was more of a familiar feel to the Guildford team. Guildford kicked off playing towards the road.

As is to be expected in local derbies, the early exchanges were ferocious with both sides trying to gain dominance. The Guildford scrum was under pressure again but functioned better than last week. The lineout is still an area of concern; timings were not right, support players were slow to get into position meaning the platform was not consistent. For several seasons Guildford’s lineout has been a strength and the platform of several notable wins. The current set piece is a long way from those heady days. This is something that can be solved through practice and a settled selection.

The deadlock was broken after 12 mins as the Farnham 10 broke through a weak Guildford defence on the edge of their own 22, to score wide out. He was unable to convert his own try, score Guildford 0-5 Farnham

With 17 minutes on the clock a real mix up at the back of the Guildford defence on their own tryline enabled the Farnham No 8 to get an easy try which was unconverted, score now 0-10. After 22 minutes the Farnham No 8 added a second try and Farnham’s 3rd after intercepting a stray pass from the tackle. The conversion was successful, so the score was now 0-17.

Up to this point Guildford were making some progress in getting back into the game. They really were making it easy for Farnham, who although they were playing well, didn’t have to try too hard to get points on the scoreboard. To make things worse Guildford No 8 Jordan Brodly picked up a yellow card with 24 mins played.

With 32 mins on the clock Guildford again fell afoul of the referee resulting in another yellow card this time for Harry Phillips.

Playing with 7 men in the pack was always going to be hard work, but having 6 against a more dominant opposition was always going to be a challenge. Unsurprisingly with two extra men in the scrum Farnham made the advantage work to their favour and after a period of pressure on the Guildford tryline the No 6 crashed over for Farnham’s 4th try which was again converted moving the score on to 0- 24

In the dying seconds of the first period after some good work inside their own half the Farnham right winger was set free and able to outpace the covering defence to score under the posts. The conversion was successful. 0-31

The referee then blew for half time and Guildford retired to their changing room to contemplate a disastrous first half and regroup.

HT Guildford 0 -31 Farnham

It would be an understatement to say it was a very unhappy changing room at half time. Those of us who have played this game may remember going down by a big score in the first half, and it isn’t a nice place to be. The response to this type of situation is what will define the team and how it builds over the rest of the season.

To be fair to the players they realised the situation they had got themselves into, took responsibility for how they got there and wanted to get some pride back. To some extent the attitude in the second half was better, but the mountain of 31 points was way too high to conquer. The start of the second period was promising with an interception try from Alex Jordan, which was converted by Ieuan Jones to take the score to 7-31.

Unfortunately, a second yellow card for Brodley translated into a red card and Guildford had to play out the remainer of the game with 14 men.

After this score the game settled down with neither side gaining any dominance. Farnham will be disappointed that they couldn’t maintain the momentum of the first half and run in a cricket score. Guildford would be very happy that they didn’t but will be pleased by the improved attitude. Guildford made several breaks, but either turned over by getting isolated or losing the ball in the tackle. They were just not able to finish off what started as promising looking moves.

Perhaps Guildford’s best move of the day demonstrated the team’s ability. The ball was moved from side to side as Guildford made good ground from inside their own half through good interplay between forwards and backs. They looked to have produced the try of the day, but fair play to the Farnham defence who managed to scramble and somehow get between the ball and the ground to deny Charlie Gibbons a try.

This probably summed up the sort of day Guildford were having.

Guildford have currently played 2 games and lost 2 games. Next week they make the short away trip to Chobham who are in a similar situation, played 2 lost 2. It is way too early in the season to discuss relegation, but Guildford need to get their mojo back in the next few days and go to Chobham with a confidence and solid gameplan that will get the season back on track.

Come on Gs!!

Mike Burden

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